Eating and Breathing Soccer

Abigail, as I mentioned before, is playing soccer again this year. This week, however takes the cake for the most soccer we've had to date in our family. Currently she plays on the American community soccer (SACAC), the typical thing where you sign up and dads volunteer to coach. She has had a fun time doing this here the last two years (and 2 years in Minnesota). Last week she tried out for a select soccer team--a team of 9 to 10 year old girls from the international American school she attends here that will be part of the sports league that organizes competition between other international schools on the island (i.e., the Australian school, the British school, etc.) The coaches for this team are hired from an international soccer academy and there will be busing to away games. She wanted to get better at soccer and try something a little more competitive, but this was still quite a bold step for her reserved nature. We didn't push it at all; in fact, with the baby coming throughout all this new soccer stuff, I was a little bit worried about being able to handle all the scheduling and support. Practices and games are during the week in the afternoons and Joseph will do what he can, of course. In any event, she is on the team and we are excited for her. This week is the "double" week with 2 practices for this select team, 1 last SACAC practice and final game on Saturday. Joseph is out of town so I will be the ultimate soccer mom this week.